Maps
A map is a data structure that stores key-value pairs, allowing efficient lookup, insertion, and deletion of values based on unique keys. It is fundamental in computer science for organizing and accessing data in applications like caching, indexing, and configuration management. Maps are implemented in various programming languages with names like dictionaries, hash maps, or associative arrays.
Developers should learn maps because they provide O(1) average-time complexity for operations, making them ideal for scenarios requiring fast data retrieval, such as in databases, caches, or when handling user sessions. They are essential for tasks like counting frequencies, grouping data, or implementing lookup tables in algorithms and real-world applications like web routing or language translation.